Rebecca Cooper
Rebecca’s House Eating Disorder Treatment Programs, USA
Title: Neurobiology Implications of Obesity and Disordered Eating
Biography
Biography: Rebecca Cooper
Abstract
Many people have a dysfunctional relationship with food wheretheir obsession with food, weight, dieting and body image is impacting their health and quality of life. New advances in weight loss procedures, programs and research into the disruption of the energy homeostasis caused by dieting and the mutation of inheritable genes are resulting in an epidemic of obesity and disordered eating. Disordered eating creates a complex interaction that involves genetics, environmental factors, psychological disturbances, neurochemical and biochemical changes, and disturbed thinking patterns. The world’s top scientists and researchers are studying the physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental effects of foods, lifestyle, and experiences that create a dysfunctional relationship with food. Research has shown that neurochemical and genetic expression can be altered and are implicated in obesity and disordered eating. It has also been shown that some people have genetic programming for fewer dopamine receptors. To compensate individuals may use substances (or some foods) to increase dopamine levels in the reward system of the brain.